The right guard was a top priority for San Diego to re-sign; however, that wasn’t enough to keep him from Colorado, agreeing Tuesday to a four-year deal with the Broncos reportedly worth $23.5 million with $13 million fully guaranteed.

The Chargers and Vasquez spoke at length for nearly a year, but the two sides could never match figures.

Rob Sheets, Vasquez’s agent, said he first received a formal offer to re-sign with the team in May 2012. The sides met again in San Diego last November for a roughly 90-minute dialogue. Sheets disclosed the numbers he wanted, and the Chargers weren’t ready to go that high.

His proposed numbers, he said, were “almost identical” to the ones agreed upon with Denver.

“They didn’t have the cap space the Broncos had,” Sheets said. “While Lou may very well have been their No. 1 priority, they were at a little bit of a disadvantage and hamstrung compared to not only the Broncos but others in the market.”

The Chargers recently told Sheets their contract numbers had gone up since November, said Sheets, who added he never saw a formal proposal from the club since May. That last detail is debated between sides, but the fact is there was miscommunication leading up to the Denver deal and, regardless, the team was unlikely to have matched the Broncos’ offer, given the limited cap space available to fill a number of roster holes.

General Manager Tom Telesco said he prepared for the possibility Vasquez would sign elsewhere.

There was an action plan to follow in case the scenario arrived.

“That’s what we’re doing now,” Telesco said. “We don’t play tomorrow. This isn’t the type of thing where you can fill the whole team through free agency. ... We’ve got to put five guys together. It’s going to be a process between now and camp to get the best five.”

Vasquez, 25, was a 2009 third-round draft choice.

A good pass protector, he started 16 games last season.

The Chargers are expected to sign a guard soon, possibly as early as today. The addition will join King Dunlap as the newcomer on the offensive line. The ex-Eagles left tackle agreed to a two-year deal Tuesday, a source said.

Dunlap is considered capable of playing tackle on either side as well as moving inside to guard.